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Sunday we looked at Matthew 23:13 in our "Vision Correction" Sermon Series. In the 13th verse of Matthew 23 Jesus turns his attention directly to the blind scribes and pharisees and proclaims they are not only missing the Kingdom of Heaven but they are causing others to miss it as well. Woe unto us wif we allow our pride and disobedience to hinder others from entering into the Kingdom of God.  We saw in John 10:7-9 that Jesus is the door of the sheep. The last thing any disciple of Jesus wants to do is aid the adversary in keeping people from entering into the blessing God has for them.

The take away from our message is that those with clear vision will actively be looking to enter into God's presence. That is exactly the admonition of Jesus in Revelation 3:18. We have to correct our "I" problem found in Revelation 3:17 by entering into fellowship with Jesus who stands at the door and knocks (the word of God). As we do that not only do we have entrance but others are sure to follow.

Jeremy Bonnesen has recently initiated a new phase of our IGO ministry in which he is challenging those who participate to be prayerful (Matthew 9:38), ready (Mark 1:14-17), bold (Ezekiel 37:1-14), and watchful (Ezekiel 33:3-11) so we sieze the opportnity to honor Christ in sharing the gospel with the lost and dying within our sphere's of influence.

For those in an Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) you are being challenged by your IGO representative to pray daily for:

1. An lost member of your family who needs the gospel

2. An lost neighbor who needs the gospel

3. An lost person at work or school who needs the gospel

4. An lost stranger who needs the gospel

 

This is exactly what we need to do to make sure we are not blind to God's will and direct others to the will and Word of God. Jesus is the door (John 10:7-9) and we are called to sup with him (Revelation 3:20). If we are sincere in our fellowship with the Lord and sincere prayer to get the gospel where it needs to go I am certain God will open doors he wants opened for the Kingdom of God's sake.

 

When Paul wrote to the church of Colossians he asked that they would pray for him while he was bound in prison that God would open a door of utterance. You may be home bound, hospital bound, prison bound but the gospel is not bound! Let's pray not, only for the lost in our lives, but for the saved who are joining us with one mind and accord to get the gospel where it needs to go on time. When we do that we will see a movement of God that is exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or think. Could we trust God to open a door no man can shut? True revival, a genuine movement of the Holy Ghost starts with personal revival! Let's do our part and trust God to do his part. Confess any sin that is hindering the Spirit's movement in your life and ask God to give you the grace to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh (1 John 1:9 & Galatians 5:16). Then renew your time in God's word asking him to open that door of understanding giving him free reign to speak to you and with you about anything in your heart, mind and life. Try me on this he will connect with you (Revelation 3:20)! Then simply obey what God has spoken to you to do in accordance with his Word, his Spirit and his local New Testament church. God is much better at being faithful than us so with his mercy, grace and love we can expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.

 

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Colossians 4:2-4